A young person who ages out of care does so without the one thing they were promised when they entered foster care......a permanent parent to support them and guide them through life.

It is unacceptable that after 18 years of age, foster youth no longer have the chance to find a forever family.

This program aims to change that.

36 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite #503, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1A1www.adoption.on.ca

NeverToo Latefor a familyN

TL

A pilot program of theAdoption Council of Ontario

In 1964, “Today’s Child” launched in the Toronto Telegram newspaper with a photo of “Hope,” a 15-month-old bi racial girl with developmental delays who was in Toronto’s foster care system and was in need of an adoptive home. There was great worry that no one would respond—at the time healthy white newborn babies were considered the “gold standard” for a family wanting to adopt and supply was plentiful. To everyone’s great surprise, Toronto Children’s Aid Society received more than 40 requests from families looking to adopt the little girl.

50 years ago 15 months was feared too late for a family--but it wasn't for Hope. Fast forward we now know that all kids and youth are deserving of a forever family and capable of successfully finding one—teens, sibling groups, kids with special needs, etc. Still, too many young people age out of the system without finding a family—at least 1000 a year. Although some youth beat the odds, most face a very difficult future.

In 2016, the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in Ontario included the voices of hundreds of young people with lived experience of foster care in 2 reports entitled Searching for Home: Reimagining Residential Care and Bus Ride Home Project. Both named “ongoing permanency after aging out of care” and “yearning to be part of a family as crucial

gaps in the system that get in the way of youth success once leaving care. ”

Research and years of experience shows that finding permanent family is the number one factor in improving the outcomes for youth in foster care.

50% 50% 60% 20% 25%

HAVE NOT FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL

ARE UNEMPLOYED OF FEMALES WILL HAVE GIVEN BIRTH AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE 2 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ENTER FOSTER CARE

ARE SELF-SUPPORTING

WILL BECOME HOMELESSAND/OR INCARCERATED

40%BETWEEN 20-29 YEARS OLD LIVEWITH THEIR PARENTS

OF YOUNGADULTS

DO NOT HAVE THIS OPTION AND MUSTNAVIGATE THE WORLD ON THEIR OWN

MOST YOUTH LEAVING FOSTER CARE

Within 2 to 4 years of leaving foster care

WHY NEVER TOO LATE?

Team NTL includes agencies who work directly with the target population, parents who have adopted older youth/young adults and most importantly young people with lived experience of both finding permanency and of aging out without a family.

4 key elements are at the core of the program:

Never Too Late for a Family is now able to serve a population of young people previously abandoned in the system. We know you are never too old for a family.

ACO is committed to creating and piloting a program that is youth-centred and exists in collaboration with community-based programs that work with at-risk youth populations. ACO staff have the skills and expertise to support recruitment and education/preparation of families, preparation of youth in engaging with a family and the programs to support families on the lifelong journey of belonging.

• Recruitment, assessment and preparation of adults wanting to become the committed life long connection in a young person’s life. People who wish to take on this role must have access to the tool box needed for success.

• Support for youth during the process of recruitment and transition to family.

• Collaborating with and training of program staff in the youth shelter and other youth-serving systems.

• Connection of newly formed families to ongoing education and support systems.

"Family" in this case is not necessarily the traditional nuclear 2 parent household but speaks instead to at least one adult who will forever love and safely care for that young person and give them life-long stability.

“Legal certainty, emotional security and a family to call your own—for life. Permanence can be the greatest single factor in ensuring a child’s health, well-being and potential for success.”

More info:

Aviva Zukerman Schureaviva.zukerman@adoptontario.ca

www.adoption.on.ca/ NTL

WHAT IS NTL?

Formed in 1987 by representatives of the adoption community, the Adoption Council of Ontario (ACO) represents and supports all aspects of adoption. We work towards a community where all children and youth have a committed family to grow up and grow old in.

The ACO, a registered charitable organization, is a leader in adoption recruitment and support; youth, parent and peer support programming; as well as training of mental health professionals. ACO has the capacity to work collaboratively with key partners, most essentially youth with lived experience, to build this program.

”No person in and from care should have to accept that their relationships come with expiry dates.” Chloe, age 22.

36 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite #503, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1A1www.adoption.on.ca